Product Description

Learn about the amazing life of Eric Liddell, the "Flying Scot", with this Trailblazers biography. Written for children 8-14, kids will learn about Liddell's early years as a missionary's child in China, his Olympic running years, and finally his final years in a Prisoner of War camp in China.

Product Information

Publisher's Description

As a young child Eric Liddell lived in the exotic climate of China. His parents worked there as missionaries, teaching the good news of Jesus. Eric's life from then on brought him to boarding school in England, university in Edinburgh and the fame of Olympic Stardom in Paris. But with that fame came trouble as he struggled to stand up for his Christian faith. Eric's strong belief in keeping the Lord's Day as a day of worship was challenged when his 100 metres race was scheduled for the Sunday. Eric's strength of conviction and his subsequent win in the 400 metres have made him a hero and a role model for many young men and women. But his life was so much more than winning tapes and starters' orders - his whole life was a race for God. This race took him back to the country of his birth - China. This country became the country of his death in a Prisoner of War camp. The man who became known affectionately as the 'Flying Scotsman' in the end lived and died in China - thousands of miles from his native land and his athletic conquests.

I jumped at the opportunity to read and review this book because I wanted to learn more about the man, Eric Liddell, behind the movie Chariots of Fire.

The author starts with the story of Liddell's childhood, growing up the son of missionary parents in Northern China. The story progresses from Liddell and his brother being sent to boarding school in England, where Liddell's giftedness as a runner eventually earns him a place in the 1924 Olympics in Paris. The author shows how Liddell's faith and religious conviction shaped his life, including his refusal to compete in athletic events on the Lord's Day (Sunday).

Upon his graduation, Liddell chose a life of service as a missionary to China rather than capitalizing upon his fame from the Olympics. This simple man of conviction, ultimately influenced the spread of Christianity in China, through his life and death.

This book, as the others in the Trailblazer series, is recommended for younger readers, ages 7-14. It even has suggested questions for discussion in the back of the book for parents to interact with their children as they read the book. I would easily recommend this book as a good, basic biographical book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Christian Focus 4 Kids as part of their Trailblazers Book Review Extravaganza. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."